Long the obvious choice for consumers seeking an athletic mid-size sedan, the Mazda Mazda6 adds another virtue to its long list of capabilities: safety. The old Mazda6, with the brand's stunning design, luxurious features, and a peppy turbocharged engine, was an option that had everything consumers wanted. The 2019 Mazda Mazda6 adds more standard safety features across the range to improve upon that winning recipe.
What's New for 2019
The Mazda6 benefits from the automaker's i-Activsense suite of safety features as standard for 2019. Every Mazda6 now comes with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The brand's G-Vectoring Control Plus system, which improves the steering response, is also now standard across the lineup.
Choosing Your Mazda Mazda6
With the introduction of the 2.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine last year, the Mazda6 continues to offer two powertrains for consumers.
The standard engine is a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Last year's six-speed manual transmission has been axed, so all you'll find with the Mazda6 is a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is the sole offering, as well. Offered on the mid-level Grand Touring trim and above is the same four-cylinder that adds a turbocharger into the mix. The engine is rated to make 250 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
With the manual transmission now dead, the Mazda6 gets an EPA-estimated 26 miles per gallon city, 35 mpg highway, and 29 combined with the base engine. Moving up to the turbocharged unit drops fuel economy to 23/31/26 mpg (city/highway/combined).
Compare the Mazda6 to the new Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, and the numbers aren't in Mazda's favor, but the Mazda6 is one of the few vehicles that manages to be better than the numbers let on. Mazda's iconic sharp handling can be found on every sedan, while higher trims not only have upscale features, but design, quality, and fit-and-finish to rival true luxury brands. If you're one of the few that continues to side with sedans in the great war with crossovers and SUVs, the Mazda6 is sure to tug at your heart.
There are five Mazda6 trims to choose from:
The turbocharged engine is worth the price of admission, as is opting for one of the higher 2019 Mazda Mazda6 trims, as they bring premium features and an upscale feel. While on the pricey side, the Grand Touring Reserve trim has the right amount of luxury features to separate itself from other mid-size sedans. If you're a fan of red cars, Mazda's Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint is stunning and worth the extra $595.